Vendor Manager
Department: Operations
Reports To: Vice President, Operations
Industry Focus: Telecommunications & Technology
Position Overview
Frontier Networks Inc. is seeking an experienced Vendor Manager to lead both operational and strategic management of telecommunications carriers, technology suppliers, and third-party service providers. The role owns vendor relationships, contract coordination and negotiations, service performance, cost optimization, and day-to-day vendor service delivery. Working with Operations, Network Engineering, Finance, Sales, and external providers, the Vendor Manager helps ensure reliable services, competitive commercial terms, and strong vendor accountability.
Key Responsibilities
· Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned telecommunications carriers, technology suppliers, and service providers.
· Maintain a centralized register of vendors, contracts, services, and key contacts.
· Coordinate vendor onboarding, service requirements, relationship reviews, and escalations.
· Review vendor agreements, pricing structures, service commitments, renewal dates, and termination requirements.
· Negotiate competitive pricing, improved service terms, and renewals within established approval limits.
· Evaluate potential new providers and recommend vendor consolidation or alternative sourcing opportunities.
· Maintain accurate contract records and flag commercial risks and upcoming decisions.
· Monitor service-level agreements, outages, recurring issues, response times, and resolution timelines.
· Maintain vendor scorecards and conduct periodic service performance reviews.
· Coordinate unresolved service escalations with internal technical teams and vendors.
· Monitor maintenance notifications and communicate operational impacts.
· Review vendor pricing, recurring charges, and service-related expenses.
· Work with Finance to investigate billing discrepancies, incorrect charges, and unused or duplicate services.
· Identify and track savings from negotiations, contract optimization, and service rationalization.
· Support vendor budget planning and cost forecasting.
· Coordinate vendor quotes, service orders, provisioning requests, cancellations, and service migrations.
· Track delivery commitments, outstanding orders, delays, and dependencies.
· Coordinate vendor-related operational projects and service transitions with internal teams.
· Maintain complete documentation of vendor requests and outcomes.
· Produce regular reports on vendor costs, service performance, escalations, renewals, and savings.
· Develop consistent workflows for onboarding, approvals, contract tracking, and vendor reviews.
· Recommend improvements to service quality, accountability, efficiency, and profitability.
Qualifications & Experience
· Minimum 5-7 years of vendor management experience in telecommunications, IT infrastructure, managed services, or the technology sector.
· A bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or Telecommunications.
· Experience managing telecommunications carriers, technology vendors, or managed service providers.
· Demonstrated experience negotiating service agreements, reviewing contracts, and managing renewals.
· Working knowledge of telecom infrastructure ( Internet connectivity, voice services, SIP, SD-WAN, and managed network services) paired with strong financial modeling and data analysis skills.
· Experience monitoring SLAs, coordinating technical service delivery, and managing escalations.
· Strong analytical, commercial, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
· Experience reviewing invoices, identifying billing discrepancies, and delivering cost savings.
· Proficiency with Microsoft 365, particularly Excel; familiarity with CRM, ticketing, or vendor management systems is an asset.
What Success Looks Like
· Vendor SLA compliance and escalation resolution
· Vendor cost savings and contract optimization
· Billing discrepancy recovery and elimination of unnecessary expenses
· On-time renewals and contract record accuracy
· Vendor service delivery timeliness and order completion
· Quality of vendor reporting and process improvements
Decision Making Authority
The Vendor Manager coordinates vendor activities, performance reviews, escalations, and commercial recommendations. Contract commitments, expenditures, and final commercial approvals remain subject to Frontier Networks Inc.’s established authorization policies. Technical architecture decisions remain with Technology leadership.
Other Requirements
· This is an in-office based position
· Preferred designation in SCMP, CIPS or PMP
What We Offer
Competitive salary - Range $85,000-$90,000
Benefits
Dental care
Extended Health Care
Vision Care
